#Empowering Rural Women

[orhcwngo]

ORHCW Empowering Rural Women Through Skill Development

ORHCW is dedicated to empowering rural women through skill development initiatives. By offering comprehensive training programs in various vocational fields, ORHCW equips women with the tools and knowledge to enhance their livelihoods and contribute meaningfully to their communities. Through partnerships with local organizations and government agencies, ORHCW ensures sustainable development and economic empowerment for women in rural areas, fostering self-reliance and resilience.

[digimarksposts]

Centre For Transforming India(CFTI) is an Non Profit Organisation located in Mumbai, Delhi and Alibaug. The bicycle distribution programme of CFTI is a flagship programme that helps the rural girls to continue their education and be empowered. Learn more by clicking here https://cftiindia.com/bicycle-distribution

[batboyblog]

Things Biden and the Democrats did, this week #19

May 17-24 2024

President Biden wiped out the student loan debt of 160,000 more Americans. This debt cancellation of 7.7 billion dollars brings the total student loan debt relieved by the Biden Administration to $167 billion. The Administration has canceled student loan debt for 4.75 million Americans so far. The 160,000 borrowers forgiven this week owned an average of $35,000 each and are now debt free. The Administration announced plans last month to bring debt forgiveness to 30 million Americans with student loans coming this fall.

The Department of Justice announced it is suing Ticketmaster for being a monopoly. DoJ is suing Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation for monopolistic practices. Ticketmaster controls 70% of the live show ticket market leading to skyrocketing prices, hidden fees and last minute cancellation. The Justice Department is seeking to break up Live Nation and help bring competition back into the market. This is one of a number of monopoly law suits brought by the Biden administration against Apple in March and Amazon in September 2023.

The EPA announced $225 million in new funding to improve drinking and wastewater for tribal communities. The money will go to tribes in the mainland US as well as Alaska Native Villages. It'll help with testing for forever chemicals, and replacing of lead pipes as well as sustainability projects.

The EPA announced $300 million in grants to clean up former industrial sites. Known as "Brownfield" sites these former industrial sites are to be cleaned and redeveloped into community assets. The money will fund 200 projects across 178 communities. One such project will transform a former oil station in Philadelphia’s Kingsessing neighborhood, currently polluted with lead and other toxins into a waterfront bike trail.

The Department of Agriculture announced a historic expansion of its program to feed low income kids over the summer holidays. Since the 1960s the SUN Meals have served in person meals at schools and community centers during the summer holidays to low income children. This Year the Biden administration is rolling out SUN Bucks, a $120 per child grocery benefit. This benefit has been rejected by many Republican governors but in the states that will take part 21 million kids will benefit. Last year the Biden administration introduced SUN Meals To-Go, offering pick-up and delivery options expanding SUN's reach into rural communities. These expansions are part of the Biden administration's plan to end hunger and reduce diet-related disease by 2030.

Vice-President Harris builds on her work in Africa to announce a plan to give 80% of Africa internet access by 2030, up from just 40% today. This push builds off efforts Harris has spearheaded since her trip to Africa in 2023, including $7 billion in climate adaptation, resilience, and mitigation, and $1 billion to empower women. The public-private partnership between the African Development Bank Group and Mastercard plans to bring internet access to 3 million farmers in Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria, before expanding to Uganda, Ethiopia, and Ghana, and then the rest of the continent, bring internet to 100 million people and businesses over the next 10 years. This is together with the work of Partnership for Digital Access in Africa which is hoping to bring internet access to 80% of Africans by 2030, up from 40% now, and just 30% of women on the continent. The Vice-President also announced $1 billion for the Women in the Digital Economy Fund to assure women in Africa have meaningful access to the internet and its economic opportunities.

The Senate approved Seth Aframe to be a Judge on the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, it also approved Krissa Lanham, and Angela Martinez to district Judgeships in Arizona, as well as Dena Coggins to a district court seat in California. Bring the total number of judges appointed by President Biden to 201. Biden's Judges have been historically diverse. 64% of them are women and 62% of them are people of color. President Biden has appointed more black women to federal judgeships, more Hispanic judges and more Asian American judges and more LGBT judges than any other President, including Obama's full 8 years in office. President Biden has also focused on backgrounds appointing a record breaking number of former public defenders to judgeships, as well as labor and civil rights lawyers.

[diaryofafeministbw]

KVINNA TILL KVINNA FOUNDATION

The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation is an international organization that has been empowering DRC women since 2009. It calculates that 60% of women in the DRC live below the poverty line and have extremely low levels of political participation. The organization works to gain respect for women’s rights and end discriminatory gender practices. Kvinna till Kvinna helps women participate in learning exchanges that provide education and economic empowerment. It also helps finance certain activities of the Rien Sans les Femmes (Nothing Without Women) movement, a collaboration of Congolese women’s rights activists. By supporting smaller partner organizations in the DRC, Kvinna till Kvinna has definitively lowered gender-based violence against women and has boosted political participation for DRC women. For example, the partner organization AFEM (Association des Femmes des Médias du Sud Kivu) is a collaboration of female journalists. It uses a radio station, Mama Radio, as its platform to empower DRC women.  Mama Radio caught on and AFEM was able to report reduced violence against women.

WOMEN FOR WOMEN INTERNATIONAL

Women for Women International empowers DRC women in numerous ways. Since 2004 it has supported more than 106,000 Congolese women. Its most recent impact evaluation reports increased access to credit, savings and assets.  Second, it reports an increase in women’s ability to pursue entrepreneurship. Finally, it shares that women are benefitting from improved diets and mental health access. In 2022, 256 women received advocacy training in land titling. It also expanded upon its health insurance projects which were able to reduce fees for women and their families by around 50%.

WOMEN'S PEACE AND HUMANITARIAN FUND (WPHF)

WPHF is an international organization that helps empower grassroots organizations to help women become more involved in political affairs. In the DRC, it works with Spotlight Initiative, another women’s rights organization to fund 30 projects that 51 women’s organizations in the DRC spearheaded. These organizations seek to eliminate violence against women and encourage political mobility for women. For example, WPHF supports our GRACE, which seeks to promote gender-based equality and peace in North Kivu. It also supports CAUSE RURALE, which focuses on providing humanitarian aid to reinforce stronger institutions for women.  Finally, WPHF supports AFPDE, in South Kivu and promotes the strength of women’s organizations.

WOMEN, CRADLE OF ABUNDANCE

Women, Cradle of Abundance is a DRC organization. It has been empowering women in the DRC by attempting the eliminate systemic poverty for women. The organization provides physical safety, medical care, counseling and community services for women. It also helps improve education for women and girls by supporting schools for disadvantaged children. Women, Cradle of Abundance provides women with micro-savings and microloans. For example, it has provided 199 microloans to Kinshasha women. This helped them start or expand their businesses.

[maaarine]

Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution (Cat Bohannon, 2023)

"In a wide variety of studies, covering cultures ranging from rural America to urban India, women are more likely to allocate financial resources in a way that directly affects the welfare of their immediate households and local community.

When given the opportunity, women are more likely to spend a family’s money on food and clothing and health care and children’s education.

Men, meanwhile, are more likely to spend it on entertainment and on weapons and—if we’re talking global trends—on gambling or the local equivalents.

Worldwide, girls and women spend up to 90 percent of their earned income on their families.

Men and boys spend only 30–40 percent.

When women in India were given the opportunity to participate in local governments as ministers and officers, those governments more greatly invested in things like public services and infrastructure, from waste management to potable water and railways—things that, as it turned out, seemed to matter more to female politicians.

It’s not that male politicians don’t care about community concerns and infrastructure.

They just seem to care about them less—or at least, if they have those concerns, they act on them less.

Similar trends can be seen in the voting habits of women in the United States and Europe.

As troubling as it sounds, the data exist: when you leave men in charge, roads and bridges and dams are effectively left to rot.

When women are empowered in local governance, for whatever reason, they are more likely to vote for local infrastructure (and health services and local, directly impactful public spending) than male politicians, and in Europe, they’re even likely to improve government transparency."

[intheholler]

reading an article for a class (appalachian studies) and i kept being reminded of u

https://www.guernicamag.com/lost-in-a-misgendered-appalachia/

[positive] [with no foul intent] [its a good article]

i have read this article a few times since you sent it in and i still don't exactly know how to express my thoughts on it.

first: amen

second: yall literally have no idea how it makes me feel when you say somethin appalachian-related reminded yall of me. for real <3333

third: time to get long winded and sentimental, because i've never considered it this way, but it's so true. when i think of appalachia, i dont think about lifted trucks and gun shows.

i think about my badass grandma who was a fiery divorced, sex-positive, weed smoking, unapologetic feminist in her day and who didn't take no shit from no mountain men.

i think about my gospel loving, soft spoken mama who loudly loved jesus, a woman anyone would write off as an average "southern christian white lady" on the surface. how she didn't bat an eye when i nervously told her i was gay as a preteen. i think about how she hugged me and told me how much she loved me, how not everyone was gonna be nice about it or understand but that i was going to be safe and it was gonna be okay. how when i was a kid she stood up to that fire n brimstone southern baptist preacher and got us the fuck out of there.

i think about one of my best friends in high school, a visibly queer butch lesbian in our tiny bible beating western NC town. how fucking brave and cool she was for being one of maybe three "out" queers at school and so visibly queer at that. i think about how she got married to a pretty girl last year in that same town.

i think about two of my close friends who had to grow up so heartbreakingly fast, a pair of sisters who were at the time so young but selflessly spent their free time caring for their terminally ill mother by themselves up in their lonely holler without ever lodging a complaint

i think about my sister who dropped everything to raise me when she was only 23, breaking her back and making shit work because no one else was gonna make it work for us. i think about how one of my great aunts literally cleaned out her bedroom to furnish mine when she learned i was sleepin on a shitty couch in a cold basement.

i think about my other great aunt who apologizes for absolutely no part of who she was and holds fast to her beliefs no matter what. i think about her filling her house with the warm smell of soup beans and biscuits that were gonna feed the whole family when they come later.

when i think about appalachia, i think about the women in my life. appalachia is divine and it is absolutely divinely feminine. it's the heart of these hills and patriarchy taints it like it does everything fuckin else.

as an aside, i really loved this section here. it was kind of empowering:

Despite our region’s diversity and passionate socialist and pro-union roots, many have bought into the capitalist terms and definitions inflicted upon us. The religiosity of the place exacerbates this messaging, and the prevalence of evangelical Christianity in rural hollers means we often internalize toxic ideas about ourselves. Or perhaps we have simply tired of fighting to be seen. The pressure of religious and economic patriarchy, particularly in an exploited region like this one, means we live inside a perpetually loaded question. Nothing is more exhausting than trying to prove you exist. But the consequences of surrendering are stark: worsening wealth gaps, lost histories, continued erasures of diverse people and ecosystems. To live in Appalachia nowadays is to live with our failure to break down systemic racism, and with our complicity in the abuse of our bodies, labor, and land by unregulated corporations and himbo charlatans.

whew, okay. anyway, thanks for sending this in <33 it really made me think. yall should check it out. it's a long read but its worth every syllable!

[wizardsvslesbians]

A largely genderswapped retelling of the classic Chinese novel Water Margin (called Suikoden in Japanese, I mention for no reason in particular.)

Water Margin is about 108 dudes rocking - being violent, amoral and unstoppable all over the countryside, eating people, etc - and this book is about how girls can also rock, but it also tries to be an uplifting and empowering story about queer women, and an action movie, and a parable about fighting the deep state by assassinating rural judges. It's a mess, but so is the source material.

[womeninfictionandirl]

Wangari Maathai by Katherine Krizek

“Every person who has ever achieved anything has been knocked down many times. But all of them picked themselves up and kept going, and that is what I have always tried to do.”

The holistic approach to sustainable development that Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement, embodies embraces human rights and women’s right in particular. Her tree planting campaign empowered more than 300,000 women to plant more than 51 million trees, generating income for the rural women participants and promoting environmental consciousness in her native Kenya.

An accomplished scholar and a tireless political and environmental activist she was the first African woman to receive a Nobel prize.

Born 1940, Kenya

[digimarksposts]

Understanding the Impact of NGOs for Rural Development on this World NGO Day

World NGO Day is celebrated annually on February 27th to recognise the efforts of non-government organisations (NGOs) in promoting social change, alleviating poverty, and improving the quality of life for people around the world. NGOs play a vital role in making a positive impact in the society.

Role of rural development NGOs

Rural development NGOs are organisations that work towards the economic and social improvement of rural communities. These organisations provide essential services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure development in villages and remote areas. They work to empower communities by providing skills training, promoting sustainable agriculture practices, education, and the like.

This World NGO Day, choose to celebrate the efforts and recognize the contributions of rural development NGOs by associating with one of the impact-creating NGOs, i.e., Centre For Transforming India (CFTI).

Get to know CFTI

CFTI is a registered rural development NGO established in 2009. CFTI works to bring about a positive change in rural communities, focusing on improving their standard of living by implementing various rural development programmes such as:

●      Bicycles for girl students: CFTI provides bicycles to rural girl students to ease their commute to school and continue their education. So far, 14,623 bicycles have been distributed.

●      Education: CFTI supports education of rural children by giving scholarships, providing infrastructure support to revamp rural schools, computers, and academic kits.

●      Women empowerment: CFTI is working to empower women through various projects, including distributing cycles to rural girl students to improve education access, providing skill development courses and creating awareness on menstrual hygiene.

●      Skill development: In their effort to bring a sustainable change, CFTI provides several skills training to rural women and youth. Tailoring, candle-making, digital marketing and graphic design courses are some of their interventions.

●      Healthcare: CFTI supports healthcare needs of the rural people by providing financial support during emergencies, cancer treatment, and other health conditions.

●      Water conservation: CFTI is dedicated to water conservation and has undertaken a project in the coastal village Shenwai and plans to implement this successful project in over 100 villages in coastal Maharashtra.

Success stories

As a rural development NGO, CFTI has been working tirelessly to bring a positive change in the lives of rural communities. Here’s sharing two life-transforming NGO success stories:

●      Nikhat Hafiz Saiyyad is a student in her second year of a Bachelor of Commerce degree from a small village in Maharashtra called Shaikhache Gaon. When CFTI started their initiative to skill women through tailoring, Nikhat enrolled and successfully completed the program. She firmly believes that clothing is an essential requirement for all people.

Nikhat expresses her appreciation for the tailoring training provided by CFTI, saying it is unique compared to other training centres. While other institutes charge high fees of up to ₹30,000 for the same course, CFTI offers it at a low cost of ₹1,000 with a more comprehensive syllabus. Moreover, CFTI gives each successful trainee a free sewing machine.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, job opportunities were limited, but Nikhat is now a skilled tailor and can start her own business. This will allow her to support her family and finance her siblings' education.

The second success story highlights CFTI's bicycle distribution program for girl students.

●      CFTI primarily runs bicycle distribution programmes for female students in rural areas of Maharashtra to prevent them from dropping out of school due to transportation issues. During this effort, the organisation met a girl named Karuna from rural Maharashtra. Her father was incarcerated and she was living with her aunt, relying on her for funds to travel to school. The aunt was hesitant to provide the money, but Karuna was passionate about education. The lack of transportation was hindering her school attendance and grades. However, after receiving a bicycle from CFTI, her life changed and she was able to attend school regularly and see improvement in her grades. CFTI provides bicycles to thousands of similarly situated girls in need.

NGO success stories demonstrate the positive impact that non-profit organisations can have on communities in need. They inspire and motivate us to continue supporting and contributing to their causes.

Conclusion

As a leading rural development NGO, CFTI has been making a significant impact in rural areas of Maharashtra. On this World NGO Day, we encourage you to support CFTI's mission by making a donation, volunteering your time, partnering with the organisation, or organising a fundraiser. Your support can play a crucial role in bringing about sustainable change in rural communities and improving the quality of life for those living in these areas. Do your bit in making a difference today!

 Author Profile:

Centre For Transforming India (CFTI) was established in 2009. It is a registered NGO under the Indian Trusts Act of 1882 and founded by passionate young individuals to bring in change by elevating the rural communities. With a team of over 700 volunteers, CFTI works for education, women empowerment, disaster relief, healthcare, etc. for the underprivileged. All contributions of ₹500 and above towards CFTI are applicable for exemption from income tax as per section 80G of the Income Tax Act.

[friendswithclay]

From: “Marketing to Rural India: A way of empowering Women consumer”

[sincerelywhistler]

CEBALRAI

In the most recent channel anniversary trivia livestream, Erik mentioned he once upon a time ago had plans for a soft Sadism boyfriend character. This is my OC of said boy, Cebalrai!

More under the cut:

Here’s a Pinterest board that captures his vibes :)

And a Spotify playlist as well

• Cebalrai (pronounced as “SEB-all-rye”) often goes by 'Ceb' (still pronounced like "Seb”). Beta Ophiuchi, also named Cebalrai, is a star in the equatorial constellation of Ophiuchus. Ophiuchus is the canonical name of Gavin’s steward and I will SOMEHOW absolutely be incorporating that into his story k thanks

• He works for the Department in the mental health field as a psychotherapist, most often with Seers in specific. As a Sadism demon, he’s able to feed from his empowered clients' troubled emotions while counseling them during their personal healing journeys.

• Coincide with that Department role, he is a thread-cutter (a demon who is responsible for cutting the magical threads of empowered humans to Aria). Our beloved Seer, Morgan, stated that, "there very serious mental and emotional repercussions to a decision like [getting threads cut]; it is not one to be made lightly," (Learning About Your Magical Abilities From a Seer). It is Ceb's job to reassuringly assist empowered persons of whether or not cutting their threads is the best decision, subsequently severing their ties to magic in a comfortable setting should they choose to proceed. He’s a soft and gentle presence, a great fit for the job.

• He and Morgan are work buddies :)

• Ceb has a soft spot for humanity, being obsessed with human traditions, culture, history, psychology, so on. The prospect of being mortal fascinates him more than anything. If there’s a non-magic way of doing a task, he’ll take that route.

• Green witchy boi hehe

• TALL MAN!! HUGE BOY BUILT FOR GIVING HUGS THAT SWALLOW YOU WHOLE!!

• Baker of any and all things sweet

• The star's name literally translates to "dog of the shepard”. Reflecting this, Ceb, like a sheepdog/cattle-dog, has a natural inclination to guide people towards their sense of safety and belonging. Task-oriented and loyal until the end of time.

• He loves gardening! Talking to the plants puts his mind at ease. And because he doesn't need to feed his physical body with physical foods, he often gifts his home-grown produce and herbs away to his struggling patients and the few kind coworkers he knows.

• Probably smells like rain tbh

• Cannot do math to save his life

• If he’s not wearing cozy sweaters, he’s in the most ethereal attire because he’s extra like that

• Avid reader! Romance is his absolute favorite genre. But as sweet as he is, bro won't hesitate to go on tirades about how toxic or poorly the relationships in some books are portrayed. Colleen Hoover may be his worst enemy.

• Favorite book is Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

• Hydrangea tattoos to symbolize grace and gratitude. Bein’ a Sadism Demon comes with a lot of baggage, man

• Main love languages are acts of service and quality time

• Lives a quiet life in a secluded, little cottage-like house out on the rural edge of town with his three corgis— LaVern, Maxine, and Patricia (aptly named after The Andrews Sisters, a female big-band & swing vocalist group popular in the 1930s-50s, aka my Ceb's favorite era of music).

• Will try to pet any animal. The opossums by his house know little peace. 

• Rabid for cherry vanilla coca-cola he is an addict

I've got whole documents pertaining to this big dummy, and you’ll be seeing much more of him in the future <3

[yoursyashi]

Empowering Women through Education: A Path to Progress in India

Education has been regarded as an empowering tool for individual and societal development since the beginning of Indian civilization. Despite the tremendous progress achieved by India in expanding education, the journey to equal educational opportunities for women has, so far, been arduous and beset by obstacles. With regard to women's education, whereas in India such a cause has been gaining momentum over the years and has evolved as the central theme of the country's development agenda. While it is no longer an issue of social justice, it rather stands as an economic necessity and an avenue to break the cycle of poverty, inequality, and underdevelopment.

Importance of Women's Education

The education or learning process, which a person undergoes, depicts the future of that person. For women, it provides much more: economic independence, access to social mobility, and improvement in health. Education for girls and women is a benefit to society at large because it enhances economic growth, reduces poverty, and upholds gender equality.

The World Bank has reported that education impacts the ability of women to make informed decisions on health, family planning, and well-being generally. Educated women will also more likely contribute to the economies be it through formal employment or entrepreneurship, hence bring about change in their entire communities.

Social benefits from the education of girls are much deeper as when children go to school for longer periods, people tend to marry later, have fewer children, and raise healthier families. Mothers with education often ensure that their children get proper nutrition and schooling also, hence it creates a cycle of change which, based on generations, can go on for a long time.

While there are clear benefits, nevertheless, still women's education in India is not universal. Over the years, gaps based on gender in education have decreased, but several systemic and social barriers continue to hinder the full participation of women and girls in the institution of education.

Traditional roles are, in many parts of India, especially in rural India, upheld with regard to gender, where girls are sent back home to attend to family chores and not necessarily to school. In some communities, one of the main challenges is educating boys more than girls because some families will see the education of their girl as "wasting" resources.

Society expects girls to marry at a very young age and take up household chores. At times, it matters more than school. Some parts of the country are conservative and expect a girl to get married early, have children, and forget her higher studies or worldly ambitions.

The cost of sending children to school becomes a monetary issue with many families, especially lower-income ones. Yet the government has attempted to make education relatively inexpensive with schemes such as the Right to Education Act (RTE), declaring free education between the ages of 6 and 14. Again, the cost of other things like books, uniforms, and transport is an enormous burden on the parents' shoulders.

In rural areas, poor infrastructures, such as schools being too far away or inadequate sanitation facilities for girls discourage the families from sending their girls to school. There, they drop out more when they reach puberty, fearing for their safety or worried about the existence of proper facilities for menstruating girls.

Even though girls are registered in school, in most cases, the quality of education they obtain is not of a high standard. It is for these reasons that there is a high dropout rate and the poor learning results; it makes girls even poorer prospects when it comes to higher education or employment.

Safety is one other major concern. Accounts of violence, harassment, and trafficking have kept many young girls indoors, considering that school-going is difficult and ill-advised in some districts of India. The home-to-school route can be unsafe, especially for those girls who might become victims of gender-based violence. Lack of safe transportation for such trips or the absence of solid policing in these regions furthers the fears.

Women Education Government Initiatives

The RTE Act is a landmark piece of legislation that ensures all children between the ages of 6 and 14 be provided with free and compulsory education. The Act mandates that private schools reserve 25% of seats reserved for disadvantaged children, which includes a significant number of girls from these marginalized communities. The RTE has played a crucial role in improving access, though there are still plenty of challenges that remain in terms of infrastructure and quality.Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme

Launched in 2015, the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (Save the Girl Child, Educate the Girl Child) scheme is meant to put an end to gender discrimination and bias against girls. The scheme is designed to improve the child sex ratio, increase educational awareness of girls, and make them more capable and self-reliant. It ranges from raising an awareness campaign to offering education scholarships and ensuring girls' safety in schools.

Girls' Education Schemes (Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Scheme)

To provide quality education to girls in the educationally backward blocks of the country, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) Scheme was launched to set up residential schools for girls across the country where education, boarding, and lodging facilities would be provided free. This will help out girls who otherwise cannot go to school because of difficult distances or family circumstances.

Scholarships and Incentive Programs

There are many scholarship schemes run by the state and central governments specifically for girls as an incentive for them to undergo education. Such programs, like the one offered under the National Scheme of Incentives to Girls for Secondary Education*, give some financial aid to girls upon completion of their secondary level of education. Scholarships such as the Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child* provide incentives to reduce financial barriers associated with college and university education among women.

The NCERT has been taking steps to introduce reforms in curriculum that are gender sensitive, empowering girls with emancipating knowledge which shakes off traditional stereotypes. Class room affairs with greater involvement of women role models need to be increased in textbooks to root out gender biases at the grass-roots level.

NGO/Community-Based Initiatives

NGOS and community-based groups have spearheaded women's education in India. Organizations such as *Pratham*, *Barefoot College*, and *Room to Read* undertake grassroots work in bridging the gap between policy and reality. Such organizations institute initiatives through literacy programs, scholarships, and advocacy campaigns meant to drive girls to stay and complete their education.

NGOs make all the difference in rural and tribal areas where government schemes cannot directly reach, helping girls with vocational training and career counseling, providing them with an understanding of the importance of education among girls, and introducing them to a safe environment for growth and learning while simultaneously confronting the global issues of child marriage and gender-based violence.

Future Perspective: The future of women's education in India

India has taken good steps in improving women's education, but still, much more has to be done. Closing the gender gap in education is more than a moral imperative; it is a very important investment in the country's future. The educational empowerment of girls will have a significant impact on India's economic development because it is an instrument for unlocking half the potential of the population, driving innovations, reducing poverty, and promoting social equality.

The focused areas for the future would be: ensuring quality education, preparation of a safe learning environment, addressing socio-cultural barriers, and ensuring greater economic support for families to send their daughters to school. Another very important area is men and boys being involved in the conversation about gender equality, shifting the stereotypes, and making allies for the cause of girls' education.

One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world. The education of women is capable of transforming the life of the individual and the whole nation in India. When investment is made into her dreams, a bright future awaits the educated women of India.

[viestories]

Saathi Svatantra Fincorp loan status and details

Saathi Svatantra Microfin is a microfinance institution committed to empowering low-income individuals and small businesses across India by providing accessible financial services. Focused on promoting financial inclusion, particularly in rural and underserved communities, Saathi Svatantra Microfin offers flexible loan options, supports small business growth, and emphasizes women's empowerment. With a strong commitment to financial literacy, transparency, and digital accessibility, Saathi Svatantra Microfin enables clients to manage their finances and pursue economic opportunities with greater ease and confidence.

[meirimerens]

What were you reading on your trip!!

Omg love this question. It's been so long since I've been able to discuss books... you're getting reviews too. Or like My Thoughts.

First book was La Nuit Chienne (Nightbitch) by Rachel Yoder. my review: first thing first I do think I'd have loved it more in its original English version, but I bought it in France in a French bookshop so it's in French. However, a lot of the packed punch of it hinges on the wordplay and the homonymy of bitch and bitch, of Da Dog, so the orginal version probably is a less "jarring" read, as the translation left in parts in English that it just Couldn't find a way to translate.

the feminist themes are both overt and somewhat shallow, one could say "loud" without being "deep", being tinged a little of "baby's first feminist thoughts" and "baby's first discovery of Feminine Rage/the concept of a mother goddess" However Comma it does fit with the characters AND considering the author grew up in a fundamentalist Christian cult which, as Christian cults do, offers nothing but patriarchal projections and rehearsal, the narration does feel like something like she might have found/thought while deprogramming, and I don't doubt it could have been very liberating and empowering to her, and could be for many, manyyy women in the same situation as the main character. [Extremely vague spoilers from now but you'll have forgotten all about this if you pick up the book + i do feel like the "ride" is not spoiled by this] the husband was way too readily redeemed, and I think it's another symptom of writing about a feminism that's quite centered on wives and mothers (nothing wrong with that) but does not want to make them confront the fact that Your Husband Is Part Of The Problem. The actual Bitch (As In The Dog) I find actually quite good, and it's both the thing that attracted me to the book ( I ❤️ STORIES OF LYCANTHROPY OR EVEN VAGUELY RELATED TO LYCANTHROPY ESPECIALLY FEMALE LYCANTHROPY I DID MY BACHELOR'S ACCROCHAGE ON IT) and kept me going. [/spoiler] Tldr: the bones are good but the meat leaves to be desired (topical metaphor)

Second book was Le Ciel en Sa Fureur ("the sky in its fury") by Adeline Fleury. About the life in a small tight-knit Normandy village as animals turn up dead, this one kid is making it rain frogs and toads and is constantly found near the animal carcasses, and everyone has to come to terms with the town's secrets and their own that they've kept all these years. I ❤️ magical realism stories and I ❤️ stories in rural settings so mostly I've had a good time. The background of a tight-knit rural village slowly overtaken by a new suburb greatly appeals to me + how legends are woven into the fabric of social life... loved that... I thought the storey was kind of diminished by the early reveal of Who Done It, even thought it serves to humanize them and That's The Point, I felt like it could have been kept secret juuuust a little longer. Get scared etc. Also on one hand I'd have wished to know more about the [...]-kids, on the other I believe the ambiguity is how they're truly lived and experienced as living legends so. Yeah I'll cope with that. Also they had a lesbian second-main character and the author was normal about her \o/ you would not believe the bullshit I've had to read in contemporary books for 10 years until I got a lesbian character who's written normally. It's never too late!

THANK YOU FOR QUASTION... me tucking myself into bed every evening 📖🤓

[the-guide-to-effective-csr]

"The Guide to Effective CSR Collaboration with Marpu Foundation."

In today’s world, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become more than just a buzzword. It’s a vital part of how businesses contribute to society, building goodwill and making a tangible difference in communities. A great way for companies to create meaningful impact is by collaborating with non-profits, and the Marpu Foundation is a perfect partner for such efforts. Let’s explore how companies can engage in effective CSR initiatives with Marpu and why this collaboration can be a game-changer.

What is Marpu Foundation? Marpu Foundation is a non-profit organization focused on improving the lives of underprivileged communities. Their work spans several key areas, including education, healthcare, women’s empowerment, and environmental protection. By creating sustainable solutions for social problems, Marpu helps businesses make real, measurable impacts through their CSR efforts.

Why Collaborate with Marpu Foundation?

For companies looking to expand their CSR activities, working with Marpu Foundation is a smart choice. CSR isn’t just about giving back; it’s about building partnerships that drive change while enhancing the company’s reputation. Marpu’s deep understanding of community needs, combined with their proven ability to execute successful projects, makes them an ideal partner for CSR.

When businesses collaborate with Marpu, they are not just donating funds; they are part of well-thought-out projects that address critical issues. This engagement not only boosts the company’s image but also creates a positive relationship with local communities.

Examples of Successful CSR Projects with Marpu Foundation

Let’s look at a few examples of how Marpu has partnered with businesses to create positive change:

Healthcare Projects: Marpu worked with a healthcare company to provide free medical camps in rural areas where access to doctors and medicines is limited. The initiative improved the health of over 5,000 villagers while boosting the company’s image as a responsible corporate citizen.

Women Empowerment: Another CSR partnership focused on empowering women in rural areas by offering vocational training programs. Through this project, Marpu helped train over 300 women in tailoring and handicrafts, giving them a source of income. The partnering company gained recognition for supporting women’s economic independence.

These are just a couple of examples that show the impact businesses can make when they partner with Marpu Foundation.

How to Start CSR Collaboration with Marpu Collaborating with Marpu Foundation for your CSR initiatives is simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get started:

Initial Contact: Reach out to the Marpu team via their website or social media. They are always open to discussing new opportunities for collaboration.

Discuss Goals: Have a conversation about your company’s CSR goals. Whether it’s education, healthcare, or environmental sustainability, Marpu can tailor a project to fit your objectives.

Project Planning: Once both parties agree on a cause, Marpu will develop a detailed plan outlining the project’s scope, goals, and expected outcomes. This stage includes budget discussions and timelines.

Execution and Reporting: Marpu will handle the on-ground execution of the project while providing regular updates to your company. Transparency and accountability are key aspects of their work, ensuring you know how your contributions are making a difference.

CSR collaborations with Marpu Foundation allow businesses to create meaningful, long-lasting impacts while enhancing their corporate reputation. By partnering with a trusted organization like Marpu, companies can ensure that their CSR efforts are effective, sustainable, and aligned with real community needs. If you’re a business looking to make a difference, now is the time to explore the possibilities of working with Marpu Foundation.

Ready to collaborate for a better tomorrow? Reach out to Marpu Foundation today and begin your journey towards impactful CSR.

[imperfectorange]

National Girl Child Day

For centuries in India, daughters have been worshiped as forms of the goddess Laxmi, while ironically, it is sons who have been regarded as a guarantee for economic security- the source of wealth and prosperity for the family. They are considered the ideal inheritors of one’s accumulated capital. Sons are expected to take care of their aging parents, and carry forward family businesses. Meanwhile parents start preparing for their daughter's 'vidhai' from the moment she is born, concerned about paying dowries, and expecting to ship her off to another home where she will take care of someone else's family. Due to this, many families have not wanted to invest in the care and keeping of a girl child, leading to historically high rates of female infanticide in the Indian subcontinent. With the onset of modern technology, such as ultrasounds, there has also been an increase in female foeticide.

Gender screenings and sex-based abortions have led to unnatural selection through social factors as opposed to physical ones. Generations of these practices have led to an incredibly skewed sex ratio in the country- as per the 2011 census the figures stood at 943 women per 1000 men, reaching as low as 800 in some states. Although a law was put in place to prevent female infanticide in 1870, under British India, it didn’t do much to curtail the practice. An act prohibiting pre-natal sex determination was passed in 1994, which has criminalized this process and helped reduce it to some extent. This has led to the strange concept of reproductive tourism taking rise in India, as citizens travel to countries where sex screenings are not banned to determine what their future holds.

Similarly, the government has started a lot of schemes such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao to increase focus and divert funding towards female education. In the modern world, more and more women are leaving the house to work, a result of families that have prioritized their education. The dependency that families feared from their daughters is no longer as great a cause for concern in many families in urban spaces. However, for many rural or poorer families, a girl child is still considered a curse, as funding her marriage becomes a great source for stress. Alternatively, funding her education is not even considered a viable option as they do not expect to see the return on their investment.

Due to this, National Girl Child Day and other recognitions of women are vital in nations like India, to celebrate the achievements of women and show the citizens that they are just as capable as a man, well worth the time and effort it takes to raise them. Especially when women are born into a society that already presents them with a series of obstacles to achieve success based solely on their gender, celebrating and empowering them from birth is vital to their development and that of the nation.

- Shreya, 24th January 2023.